PEOPLE OF STATE OF ILLINOIS v. B.G.

NOT GUILTY – PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT

The Defendant was charged with numerous counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, Criminal Sexual Assault and Criminal Sexual Abuse. In the State of Illinois Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault is a Class X Felony that is punishable by up to thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. In addition a conviction for one of the charged sex offenses would require the Defendant to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Under 720 ILCS 5/12-14.1, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child occurs when the accused predatory criminal sexual assault of a child if the accused was 17 years of age or over and commits an act of sexual penetration with a victim who was under 13 years of age when the act was committed. In this case the Defendant was charged with molesting and raping his niece. Defendant maintained his innocence and hired Chicago Criminal Defense Attorneys Michael P. Schmiege to represent him.

Child molestation or child rape cases are very difficult to represent as a judge or jury often have a predisposition to believe that the victim would not lie about the allegations. Defending these charges requires and experienced and knowledgeable attorney. Mr. Schmiege fully investigated the case and interviewed numerous witnesses and thoroughly reviewed the statements of the alleged victim. At trial the alleged victim testified about what allegedly occurred and Mr. Schmiege cross-examined her about the inconsistencies of her statements to the police and the fact that it took her such a long time to come forward and make the accusations. Mr. Schmiege argued to the judge that the victim’s testimony was not credible based upon her late outcry and inconsistent statements and the judge agreed and found the Defendant NOT GUILTY. The Defendant went home that night a free man without 30 years in prison hanging over his head as well as lifelong sex offender registration.

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